Wildfire Season Reveals the Link between Pollution, Cell Damage, and Cancer Prevention
In today’s post, we highlight the hidden risk in our breathing in environmental pollution during wildfire season and other examples of burning both outside and indoors. The science and the solutions to help us be healthy at work and at play in our environments are based on Dr. Moondust’s groundbreaking cancer research. (Click here to read one of the abstracts and chapters entitled: A Role for Heavy Metal Toxicity and Air Pollution in Respiratory Tract cancers.)
Today we break down some of the science into easy to absorb and apply ideas presented:
Indoor smoke
Biomass Fuels and Indoor Pollution
In many parts of the world, people cook and heat with wood or coal in basic stoves. This produces smoke filled with tiny harmful particles and chemicals—especially dangerous for women and children who are exposed daily. These pollutants can reach deep into the lungs and increase cancer risk.
The health effects of this indoor air pollution are serious. It’s linked to childhood lung infections, low birth weight, infant deaths, tuberculosis, various cancers, cataracts—and especially lung cancer from burning coal.
Cooking in enclosed spaces like kitchens or even attached grill and barbecue can set up a situation where fuels being burned can cause incomplete combustion and heavy indoor air pollution.
Regardless, women and children are most affected because they spend more time near the smoke.
Health effects of breathing in smoke frequently can lead to:
- Chronic lung diseases like COPD
- Respiratory infections in children
- Low birth weight
- Infant and perinatal deaths
- Tuberculosis and certain cancers (especially lung, nose, and throat)
- Cataracts
Your Outdoor Environment and Cancer Risk
Wildfire smoke is just as dangerous as indoor smoke—it contains the same tiny cancer-causing particles, especially benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), which is also found in cigarettes. BaP can damage cells and trigger processes that may lead to cancer. See section on PAH/Bap near end.
We generally know that cancer may start when the natural balance between cell growth and cell death (called apoptosis) is disrupted. Environmental factors—like pollution, smoke, and chemicals—can interfere with this balance and increase cancer risk.
Wildfire Smoke and Health – More Fires, More Risk
In Canada, wildfires are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change. Wildfire smoke contains the same dangerous particles and carcinogens as wood smoke. These fires release polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), including benzo[a]pyrene (BaP)—also found in cigarette smoke.
PAHs can trigger cell damage and uncontrolled cell death, which may lead to cancer.
How the Body Defends Itself ?
The body uses natural detox systems—like glutathione, metallothioneins, and enzymes—to neutralize PAHs. (See below). Nutrients like zinc, vitamin C, vitamin E, and even compounds in black tea may help support this defense.
Antioxidants and free radicals
The body has a built-in defense system to fight harmful molecules called “free radicals” That damage cells. These are neutralized by antioxidants—both from enzymes and from nutrients like vitamins.
Detox enzymes
Dr. Moondust’s research names these key detox players:
1. Metallothioneins (MTs): These are small but powerful proteins found in nearly all life forms. They bind to toxic metals and help cells defend themselves against damage from pollutants and free radicals— which are the unstable molecules that can harm DNA and other structures.
2. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs): This group of enzymes neutralize carcinogens, especially PAHs like BaP. (See below). GSTM1-1 is important in lung cancer prevention, especially in smokers. Low levels of this enzyme are linked to higher cancer risk.
How to Boost Your Defenses ?
Zinc –activates metallothionein and glutathione. Because zinc can’t move easily across cells, the body uses transport proteins to help. Once inside, zinc helps increase MT production, which improves the body’s ability to detox and manage stress at the cellular level. Zinc may lower risk of cancer caused by pollution and tobacco
Glutathione supplements – detox enzymes such as glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), especially GSTM1-1 help remove cancer-causing substances from the body—especially those in smoke. Smokers who lack this enzyme are at much higher risk for lung cancer…..GST enzymes need glutathione, a natural antioxidant, to work properly. Zinc helps raise glutathione levels—so taking zinc might help protect against lung cancer by boosting the body’s detox systems. Supplementing with glutathione directly may also offer benefits.
Vitamins C and E – taking vitamins C and E together has been shown to lower cell damage from BaP (the carcinogen in smoke), especially in women who lack the protective GSTM1 gene.
Black tea polyphenols – compounds in black tea (like theaflavins) helped mice fight early-stage lung cancer caused by BaP. These natural chemicals slowed cancer growth and encouraged damaged cells to self-destruct (apoptosis).
Now about those nasty PAHs and BaPs!
PAHs: Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons are chemical compounds made up of multiple carbon rings. They are found in:
- Smoke from wildfires, stoves, cars, and cigarettes
- Grilled or charred food
- Air pollution, especially in cities
Many PAHs are toxic, and some are known to be carcinogenic (cancer-causing).
BaP: Benzo[a]pyrene is one of the most dangerous PAHs. It is found in:
- Cigarette smoke
- Wood smoke
- Vehicle exhaust
- Charred meat
BaP can enter the body through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. Once inside, it can bind to DNA, potentially causing mutations that lead to cancer and so it has been linked to cancers of the lung, skin, and bladder, among others.
They matter because BaP and other PAHs disrupt cellular health. They trigger oxidative stress, interfere with normal cell death (apoptosis) all while damaging DNA and activating cancer pathways
As always, Dr. Moondust strives to be accurate with the science and meticulous in her research and findings. For today, however, in the lazy hazy days of summer, what is easiest to know and apply is that:
- The environment plays a big role in cancer risk, especially through air pollution.
- Certain natural substances and nutrients can help the body detoxify harmful chemicals.
- Understanding and supporting the body’s natural defense systems—like antioxidant enzymes—may be key to reducing cancer risk.
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